A Royal Wedding Song+

1Beautiful words fill my mind,

as I compose this song for the king.

Like the pen of a good writer

my tongue is ready with a poem.

2You are the most handsome of men;

you are an eloquent speaker.

God has always blessed you.

3Buckle on your sword, mighty king;

you are glorious and majestic.

4Ride on in majesty to victory

for the defense of truth and justice!+

Your strength will win you great victories!

5Your arrows are sharp,

they pierce the hearts of your enemies;

nations fall down at your feet.

6 The kingdom that God has given you+

will last forever and ever.

You rule over your people with justice;

7you love what is right and hate what is evil.

That is why God, your God, has chosen you

and has poured out more happiness on you

than on any other king.

8The perfume of myrrh and aloes is on your clothes;

musicians entertain you in palaces decorated with ivory.

9Among the women of your court are daughters of kings,

and at the right of your throne stands the queen,

wearing ornaments of finest gold.

10Bride of the king, listen to what I say—

forget your people and your relatives.

11Your beauty will make the king desire you;

he is your master, so you must obey him.

12The people of Tyre will bring you gifts;

rich people will try to win your favor.

13The princess is in the palace—how beautiful she is!

Her gown is made of gold thread.

14In her colorful gown she is led to the king,

followed by her bridesmaids,

and they also are brought to him.

15With joy and gladness they come

and enter the king's palace.

16You, my king, will have many sons

to succeed your ancestors as kings,

and you will make them rulers over the whole earth.

17My song will keep your fame alive forever,

and everyone will praise you for all time to come.